The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-29; NATO reporting name: "Fulcrum") is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in theSoviet Union. Developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s, the MiG-29, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter new American fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. The MiG-29 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983; unoffically, some Soviet pilots made use of the NATO designation "Fulcrum" for the type.
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum jet was built as a reply to the Western world, as an addendom to Kruschev’s famous threat to the west, “We will bury you”. It has proven itself throughout the “cold war” and combat assignments as one of the former Soviet Union’s most advanced fighter jets. In 1979, the United States attempted to gain access to information about the MiG-29 through intelligence-gathering operations, and the use of satellites capable of photographing extremely detailed features from high altitudes. The plane was ascertained to be actively serving Russian air forces, built and validated by “design bureau”, known as the OKB.
The MiG29 Fulcrum is the pride of the Russian airforce and by many considered the best fighter today. That is not far from the truth.
The MiG29 is capable of making manouvers no other aircraft can do. And the manouvers others can do, it can do faster and tighter, giving it an edge in dog fights.
While originally orientated towards combat against any enemy aircraft, many MiG-29s have been furnished as multirole fighters capable of performing a number of different operations, and are commonly outfitted to use a range of air-to-surface armaments and precision munitions. The MiG-29 has been manufactured in several major variants, including the multirole Mikoyan MiG-29M and the navalised Mikoyan MiG-29K; the most advanced member of the family to date is the Mikoyan MiG-35. Later models frequently feature improved engines, glass cockpits with HOTAS-compatible flight controls, modern radar and IRST sensors, considerably increased fuel capacity, and some aircraft have been fitted for aerial refuelling.
In 1969, the existence of the United States Air Force's "F-X" program, which would result in the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, became public knowledge. At the height of the Cold War, a Soviet response was necessary to avoid the possibility of a new American fighter gaining a serious technological advantage over existing Soviet fighters, thus the development of a new air superiority fighter became a priority. The Soviet General Staff issued a requirement for a Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel (PFI, translating directly as "Perspective Frontline Fighter", roughly "Advanced Frontline Fighter"). Specifications were extremely ambitious, calling for long range, good short-field performance (including the ability to use austere runways), excellent agility, Mach 2+ speed, and heavy armament. The Russian aerodynamics institute TsAGI worked in collaboration with the Sukhoi design bureau on the aircraft's aerodynamics.
However, in 1971 Soviet studies determined the need for different types of fighters. The PFI program was supplemented with the LPFI(Perspektivnyy Lyogkiy Frontovoy Istrebitel, or "Advanced Lightweight Tactical Fighter") program; the Soviet fighter force was planned to be approximately 33% PFI and 67% LPFI. PFI and LPFI paralleled the USAF's decision that created the "Lightweight Fighter" program and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Northrop YF-17. The PFI fighter was assigned to Sukhoi, resulting in the Sukhoi Su-27, while the lightweight fighter went to Mikoyan. Detailed design work on the resultant Mikoyan Product 9, designatedMiG-29A, began in 1974, with the first flight taking place on 6 October 1977. The pre-production aircraft was first spotted by United States reconnaissance satellites in November of that year; it was dubbed Ram-L because it was observed at the Zhukovsky flight test center near the town of Ramenskoye. Early Western speculations suggested that the Ram-L was very similar in appearance to the YF-17 and powered by afterburning Tumansky R-25 turbojets.
Technical assignment (operational requirement) issued 1972, to replace MiG-21, MiG-23, Su-15 and Su-17; initial order place simultaneously; detail design began 1974; first of 14 prototypes built for factory and State testing flew 6 October 1977; photographed by US satellite, Ramenskoye flight test centre, November 1977 and given interim Western designation “Ram-L”; second prototype flew June 1978; second and fourth prototypes lost through engine failures; after major design changes production began 1982, deliveries to Frontal Aviation 1984; operational early 1985; first detailed Western study possible after visit of demonstration team to Finland July 1986; production of basic MiG-29 combat aircraft by Moscow Aircraft Production Group (MAPO), and of MiG-29UB combat trainers at Nizhny Novgorod, for CIS air forces completed, but manufacture for export continues.
All -swept low-wing configuration, with wide ogival wing leading-edge root extensions (LERX), lift-generating fuselage, twin tail fins carried on booms outboard of widely spaced engines with wedge intakes; doors in intakes, actuated by extension and compression of nosewheel leg, prevent ingestion of foreign objects during take-off and landing; gap between roof of each intake and skin of wingroot extension for boundary layer bleed; fire control and mission computers link radar with laser rangefinder and infrared search/track sensor, in conjunction with helmet-mounted target designator; radar able to track 10 targets simultaneously; targets can be approached and engaged without emission of detectable radar or radio signals; sustained turn rate much improved over earlier Soviet fighters; thrust/weight ratio better than one; allowable angles of attack at least 70 per cent higher than previous fighters; difficult to get into stable flat spin, reluctant to enter normal spin, recovers as soon as controls released; wing leading-edge sweepback 73 degrees 30′ on LERX, 42 degrees on outer panels; anhedral approx 2 degrees; tail fins canted outward 6 degrees; leading-edge sweep 47 degrees 50′ on fins, approx 50 degrees on horizontal surfaces. Design flying life 2500 h.
Approx 7 per cent of airframe, by weight, of composites; remainder metal, including aluminium-lithium alloys; trailing-edge wing flaps, ailerons and vertical tail surfaces of carbonfibre honeycomb; approx 65 per cent of horizontal tail surfaces aluminium alloy, remainder carbonfibre; semi-monocoque all-metal fuselage, sharply tapered and downswept aft of flat-sided cockpit area, with ogival dielectric nosecone; small vortex generator each side of nose helps to overcome early tendency to aileron reversal at angles of attack above 25 degrees; tail surfaces carried on slim booms alongside engine nacelles.
Pilot only, on 10 degrees inclined K-36DM zero/zero ejection seat, under rearward hinged transparent blister canopy in high-set cockpit. Sharply inclined one-piece curved windscreen. Three internal mirrors provide rearward view.
Two Klimov/Sarkisov RD-33 turbofans, each 49.4 kN (11,110 lb st) dry and 54.9-81.4 kN (12,345-18,300 lb st) with afterburning. Engine ducts canted at approx 9 degrees, with wedge intakes, sweptback at approx 35 degrees, under wingroot leading-edge extensions. Multi-segment ramp system, including top-hinged forward door (containing a very large number of small holes) inside each intake that closes the duct while aircraft is taking off or landing, to prevent ingestion of foreign objects, ice or snow. Air is then fed to each engine through louvres in top of wingroot leading-edge extension and perforations in duct closure door. Basic ‘Fulcrum-A’ has four integral fuel tanks in inboard portion of each wing and in fuselage between wings; total capacity 4365 litres (1153 US gallons; 960 Imp gallons).
RP-29, N019 Sapfir-29, Zhuk-M radar -MiG-29M2 coherent pulse Doppler lookdown/shootdown engagement radar (NATO “Slot Back”; search range 54 nm; 100 km; 62 miles, tracking range 38 nm; 70 km; 43 miles), target tracking limits 60 degrees up, 38 degrees down, 67 degrees each side, collimated with laser rangefinder; infrared search/track sensor (fighter detection range 8 nm; 15 km; 9.25 miles) forward of windscreen (protected by removable fairing on non-operational flights); R-862 com radio; ARK-19 DF; inertial navigation system; SRO-2 (NATO “Odd Rods”) IFF transponder and SRZ-15 interrogator; Sirena-3 360 degrees radar warning system, with sensors on wingroot extensions, wingtips and port fin. Two SO-69 ECM antennae under conformal dielectric fairings in leading-edge of each wingroot extension; head-up display; and helmet-mounted target designation system for off-axis aiming of air-to-air missiles.
Retractable tricycle type, made by Hydromash, with single wheel on each main unit and twin nosewheels. Mainwheels retract forward into wingroots, turning through 90 degrees to lie flat above leg; nosewheels, on trailing-link oleo, retract rearward between engine air intakes. Hydraulic retraction and extension, with mechanical emergency release. Nosewheels steerable +/-8 degrees for taxiing, T-O and landings, +/-30 degrees for slow speed manoeuvring in confined areas (selector in cockpit).
In the West, the new fighter was given the NATO reporting name "Fulcrum-A" because the pre-production MiG-29A, which should have logically received this designation, remained unknown in the West at that time. The Soviet Union did not assign official names to most of its aircraft, although nicknames were common. Unusually, some Soviet pilots found the MiG-29’s NATO reporting name, "Fulcrum", to be a flattering description of the aircraft’s intended purpose, and it is sometimes unofficially used in Russian service.
The MiG-29B was widely exported in downgraded versions, known as MiG-29B 9-12A andMiG-29B 9-12B for Warsaw Pact and non-Warsaw Pact nations respectively, with less capable avionics and no capability for delivering nuclear weapons. Total production was about 840 aircraft.
In the 1980s, Mikoyan developed the improved MiG-29S to use longer range R-27E and R-77 air-to-air missiles. It added a dorsal 'hump' to the upper fuselage to house a jamming system and some additional fuel capacity. The weapons load was increased to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) with airframe strengthening. These features were included in new-built fighters and upgrades to older MiG-29s.
Refined versions of the MiG-29 with improved avionics were fielded by the Soviet Union, but Mikoyan’s multirole variants, including acarrier-based version designated MiG-29K, were never produced in large numbers. In the post-Soviet era, MiG-29 development was influenced by the Mikoyan bureau's apparent lesser political clout than rival Sukhoi. Some more advanced versions are still being pursued for export, and updates of existing Russian aircraft are likely. New fighter versions called MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29SMT have been developed. Furthermore, development of the MiG-29K carrier version has been resumed for the Indian Navy's INS Vikramaditya, and Russian Navy's Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier.
Sharing its origins in the original PFI requirements issued by TsAGI, the MiG-29 has broad aerodynamic similarities to the Sukhoi Su-27, however, there are some notable differences. The MiG-29 has a mid-mounted swept wing with blended leading-edge root extensions(LERXs) swept at around 40°; there are swept tailplanes and two vertical fins, mounted on booms outboard of the engines. Automatic slats are mounted on the leading edges of the wings; they are four-segment on early models and five-segment on some later variants. On the trailing edge, there are maneuvering flaps and wingtip ailerons. At the time of its deployment, it was one of the first jet fighters in service capable of executing the Pugachev Cobra maneuver.
The MiG-29 has hydraulic controls and a SAU-451 three-axis autopilot but, unlike the Su-27, no fly-by-wire control system. Nonetheless, it is very agile, with excellent instantaneous and sustained turn performance, high-alphacapability, and a general resistance to spins. The airframe consists primarily of aluminium with some composite materials, and is stressed for up to 9-g (88 m/s²) maneuvers. The controls have "soft" limiters to prevent the pilot from exceeding g and alpha limits, the limiters can be disabled manually.
The MiG-29 has two widely spaced Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, each rated at 50.0 kN (11,240 lbf) dry and 81.3 kN (18,277 lbf) in afterburner. The space between the engines generates lift, thereby reducing effective wing loading, to improve maneuverability. The engines are fed through wedge-type intakes fitted under the leading-edge extensions(LERXs), which have variable ramps to allow high-Mach speeds. As an adaptation to rough-field operations, the main air inlet can be closed completely and alter using the auxiliary air inlet on the upper fuselage for takeoff, landing and low-altitude flying, preventing ingestion of ground debris. Thereby the engines receive air through louvers on the LERXs which open automatically when intakes are closed. However the latest variant of the family, the MiG-35, eliminated these dorsal louvers, and adopted the mesh screens design in the main intakes, similar to those fitted to the Su-27.
The MiG-29 has a ferry range of 1,500 km without external fuel tanks, and 2,100 km with one external tank. The internal fuel capacity of the original MiG-29B is 4,365 litres distributed between six internal fuel tanks, four in the fuselage and one in each wing. For longer flights, this can be supplemented by a 1,500-litre (330 Imp gal, 395 US gal) centreline drop tank and, on later production batches, two 1,150-litre (253 Imp gal, 300 US gal) underwing drop tanks. In addition, a small number have been fitted with port-side inflight refueling probes, allowing much longer flight times by using a probe-and-drogue system. Some MiG-29B airframes have been upgraded to the "Fatback" configuration (MiG-29 9–13), which adds a dorsal-mounted internal fuel tank. Advanced variants, such as the MiG-35, can be fitted with a conformal fuel tank on the dorsal spine, although none of them have yet entered service.
The cockpit features a conventional centre stick and left hand throttle controls. The pilot sits in aZvezda K-36DM zero-zero ejection seat which has had impressive performance in emergency escapes.
The cockpit has conventional dials, with a head-up display (HUD) and a Shchel-3UM helmet mounted display, but no HOTAS ("hands-on-throttle-and-stick") capability. Emphasis seems to have been placed on making the cockpit similar to the earlier MiG-23 and other Soviet aircraft for ease of conversion, rather than on ergonomics. Nonetheless, the MiG-29 does have substantially better visibility than most previous Russian jet fighters, thanks to a high-mounted bubble canopy. Upgraded models introduce "glass cockpits" with modern liquid-crystal (LCD) multi-function displays (MFDs) and true HOTAS.
The baseline MiG-29B has a Phazotron RLPK-29 (Radiolokatsyonnui Pritselnui Kompleks) radar fire control system which includes the N019 (Sapfir 29; NATO: 'Slot Back') look-down/shoot-downcoherent pulse-Doppler radar and the Ts100.02-02 digital computer. Tracking range against a fighter-sized target was only about 70 km (38 nmi) in the frontal aspect and 35 km (19 nmi) in the rear aspect. Range against bomber-sized targets was roughly double. Ten targets could be displayed in search mode, but the radar had to lock onto a single target for semi-active homing (SARH). The MiG-29 was not able to reliably utilize the new Vympel R-27R (NATO: AA-10 "Alamo") long-range SARH missile at its maximum ranges.
These performance deficiencies stemmed largely from the fact the N019 radar was not, in fact, a new design. Instead, the system was a further development of the architecture already used in Phazotron's Sapfir-23ML system, then in use on the MiG-23ML. During the initial MiG-29 design specification period in the mid-1970s, Phazotron NIIR was tasked with producing a modern radar for the MiG-29. To speed development, Phazotron based its new design on the work undertaken by NPO Istok on the experimental "Soyuz" radar program. Accordingly, the N019 was originally intended to have a flat planar array antenna and fulldigital signal processing, giving a detection and tracking range of at least 100 km against a fighter-sized target. Given the state of Soviet avionics technology at the time, it was an ambitious goal. Testing and prototypes soon revealed this could not be attained in the required timeframe, at least not in a radar that would fit in the MiG-29's nose. Rather than design a completely new, albeit more modest radar, Phazotron reverted to a version of the twisted-polarization Cassegrain antenna used successfully on the Sapfir-23ML to save time and cost. This system used the same analog signal processors as their earlier designs, coupled with a NII Argon-designed Ts100 digital computer. While this decision provided a working radar system for the new fighter, it inherited all of the weak points of the earlier design. This reliance on 1960s-era technology continued to plague the MiG-29's ability to detect and track airborne targets at ranges available with the R-27 and R-77 missiles, although new designs like the digital N010 Zhuk-M address the serious signal processing shortcomings inherent in the analog design. Most MiG-29 continue to use the analog N019 or N019M radar, although VVS has indicated its desire to upgrade all existing MiG-29s to a fully digital system.
The N019 was further compromised by Phazotron designer Adolf Tolkachev’s betrayal of the radar to the CIA, for which he was executed in 1986. In response to all of these problems, the Soviets hastily developed a modified N019M Topaz radar for the upgraded MiG-29Saircraft. However, VVS was reportedly still not satisfied with the performance of the system and demanded another upgrade. The latest upgraded aircraft offered the N010 Zhuk-M, which has a planar array antenna rather than a dish, improving range, and a much superior processing ability, with multiple-target engagement capability and compatibility with the Vympel R-77 (or RVV-AE) (NATO: AA-12 'Adder'). A useful feature the MiG-29 shares with the Su-27 is the S-31E2 KOLS, a combined laser rangefinder and IRST in an "eyeball" mount forward of the cockpit canopy. This can be slaved to the radar or used independently, and provides exceptional gun-laying accuracy.
Armament for the MiG-29 includes a single GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon in the port wing root. This originally had a 150-round magazine, which was reduced to 100 rounds in later variants. Original production MiG-29B aircraft cannot fire the cannon when carrying a centerline fuel tank as it blocks the shell ejection port. This issue was corrected in the MiG-29S and later versions. Three pylons are provided under each wing (four in some variants), for a total of six (or eight). The inboard pylons can carry either a 1,150 liter (300 US gal) fuel tank, oneVympel R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo") medium-range air-to-air missile, or unguided bombs or rockets. Some Soviet aircraft could carry a single nuclear bomb on the port inboard station. The outer pylons usually carry R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") dogfight missiles, although some users still retain the older R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid"). A single 1,500-litre (400 US gal) tank can be fitted to the centerline, between the engines, for ferry flights, but this position is not used for combat stores. The original MiG-29B can carrygeneral-purpose bombs and unguided rocket pods, but not precision-guided munitions. Upgraded models have provision for laser-guidedand electro-optical bombs, as well as air-to-surface missiles.
The MiG-29 is available for flights of civilian passengers. Civilian flights started due to financial problems on Gromov Flight Research Institute in the Russian city Zhukovsky. Those flights in Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25, MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 stopped in July 2006, when civilian flights in MiG-29 and Mikoyan MiG-31 started from Nizhny Novgorod.
There are currently several upgrade programmes conducted by the Russian Air Force for MiG-29 fighters which envisage: upgrading of the avionics suite to comply with NATO / ICAO (www.icao.int) standards, extension of the aircraft service life to 4,000 flight hours (40 years), upgrading combat capabilities and reliability, safety enhancements. In 2005 the Russian Aircraft Corporation “MiG” started production of new unified family of multirole fighters of the 4++ generation (aircraft-carrier based MiG-29K, front-line MiG-29M and MiG-35 fighters).
Initial production version; entered service
in 1983. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-A".
MiG-29B-12 (Product
9.12A)
Downgraded export version for Warsaw Pact (9.12A) and non-Warsaw Pact nations (9.12B).
Lacked a nuclear weapon delivery system and possessed downgraded radar, ECM and
IFF. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-A".
MiG-29UB-12
(Product 9.51)
Twin seat training model. Infra-red sensor
mounted only, no radar. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-B".
MiG-29S
The MiG-29S is similar in external appearance
to older MiG-29B airframes, except for the dorsal hump
behind the cockpit canopy. Differences start with the improvements in the
flight control system. Four new computers provide better stability augmentation
and controllability with an increase of 2° in angle of attack (AoA). Its improved mechanical-hydraulic flight control system allows
for greater control surface deflections. The MiG-29S's dorsal hump, earning it
the nickname "Fatback" in service, was originally believed to be for
additional fuel, but in fact, most of its volume is used for the new L-203BE
Gardenyia-1 ECM system.
The MiG-29S can carry 1,150 liter (304 US
gallon, 2,000 lb) drop tanks under each wing and a centerline tank.
Inboard underwinghardpoints are upgraded to allow for
a tandem pylon arrangement for a larger payload of 4,000 kg
(8,820 lb). Overall maximum gross weight has been raised to 20,000 kg
(44,000 lb). The GSh-30-1 cannon had its expended round ejector port
modified to allow for firing while the centerline tank is still attached.
Improvements also allow for new longer-range air-to-air missiles like the R-27E
(AA-10 "Alamo") and R-77 (AA-12 "Adder").
Initially, the avionics of the MiG-29S only
added a new IRST sighting system combined with a better imbedded training
system that allowed for IR and radar target simulation. However, the final
MiG-29S improvement kit also provides for the Phazotron N019M radar and more Built-In Test Equipment (BITE)
(especially for the radar) to reduce dependence on ground support equipment; MiG MAPOcalls
this model the MiG-29SD.
Revised weapon system algorithms in the MiG-29S's software, combined with an
increase in processing capacity, allows for the tracking of up to 10 targets
and the simultaneous engagement of two with the R-77 missile.
The MiG-29S also has a limited ground-attack
capability with unguided munitions, but in order to transform the MiG-29 into a
true multirole fighter, MAPO designed the MiG-29SM variant with the improved avionics necessary to
carry and employ precision-guided weapons. The "SE/SD/SM"
improvements in the MiG-29S, combined with the development money made available
for the naval MiG-29K, gave MAPO the incentive to forge ahead with the
multirole MiG-29M "Super Fulcrum".
Flight performance of the MiG-29S is but
slightly reduced due to the additional weight of the additional fuel and
avionics. Only 48 MiG-29S new-built airframes were produced for the Russian VVS
before funding was cut. Of this number, it is unknown how many are the standard
air-superiority "S" version and how many are the multirole
"SM" version. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-C".
MiG-29S-13 (Product 9.13)
MiG-29 variant similar to the 9.12, but with
an enlarged fuselage spine containing additional fuel and a Gardeniya active jammer. Product
9.13S is also version with the same airframe as the9.13, but with an increased
external weapons load of 4,000 kg, and provision for two underwing fuel
tanks. Radar upgraded to N019ME, providing an ability to track 10 targets and
engage two simultaneously. Compatible with the Vympel R-77 (AA-12 "Adder") air-to-air missile (similar
to the AIM-120 AMRAAM). NATO
reporting code is "Fulcrum-C".
MiG-29SM (Product 9.13M)
Similar to the 9.13, but with the ability to
carry guided air-to-surface missiles and TV- and laser-guided bombs. NATO reporting code is
"Fulcrum-C".
MiG-29G/MiG-29GT
It was an upgrade standard for the German Air
Force's MiG-29 / 29UB, inherited from the former East Germany to the NATO
standards. Works was done by MiG Aircraft Product Support GmbH (MAPS), a joint
venture company form between MiG Moscow Aviation Production Association and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace in
1993.
MiG-29AS/MiG-29UBS (MiG-29SD)
Slovak Air Force performed an upgrade on
their MiG-29/-29UB for NATO compatibility. Work is done by RAC MiG and Western
firms, starting from 2005. The aircraft now has navigation and communications
systems from Rockwell Collins, an IFF system from
BAE Systems, new glass cockpit features multi-function LC displays and digital
processors and also fitted to be integrate with Western equipment in the
future. However, the armaments of the aircraft remain unchanged. 12 out of 21
of the entire MiG-29 fleet were upgraded and had been delivered as of late
February 2008.
MiG-29 Sniper
Upgrade planned for Romanian Air Force, by
Israeli firms. First flight occurred on 5 May 2000.The program was halted along
with the retiring of Romanian MiG-29s in 2003. The latter occurred because of
high maintenance costs, which led to the Romanian Government's
decision to halt the MiG-29 program and further invest in the MiG-21 LanceR
program.
MiG-29M / MiG-33 (Product 9.15)
Advanced multirole variant, with a redesigned
airframe, mechanical flight controls replaced by a fly-by-wire system and powered by enhanced RD-33 ser.3M
engines. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-E".
MiG-29UBM (Product 9.61)
Two-seat training variant of the MiG-29M.
Never built. Effectively continued under the designation 'MiG-29M2'.
MiG-29K (Product 9.31)
Naval variant based on MiG-29M, the letter
"K" stands for "Korabelnogo bazirovaniya" (Deck-based ),
with equipment such as folding wings, arrestor gear, and reinforced landing
gear. Originally intended for the Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft
carriers, had even received series production approval from Russian Ministry of
Defence but was later grounded in 1992 due to shift in military doctrine and
state financial difficulty. MiG Corporation restarted the program in 1999
and made vital improvement to the previous design. On 20 January 2004, Indian
Navy signed a contract of 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB. Modifications
were made for Indian Navy requirement, now standard for all current production.
Current production MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB also share a two-seater size canopy.
The MiG-29K has radar absorbing coatings to reduce radar signature. Cockpit
displays consist of wide HUD and three (seven on MiG-29KUB) colour LCD MFDs
with a Topsight E helmet-mounted targeting system. It has a full
range of weapons compatible with the MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT.NATO reporting code
is "Fulcrum-D".
MiG-29KUB (Product 9.47)
Identical characteristic to the MiG-29K but
with tandem twin seat configuration. The design is to serve as trainer for
MiG-29K pilot and is full combat capable. The first MiG-29KUB developed for the
Indian Navy made its maiden flight at the Russian Zhukovsky aircraft test
centre on 22 January 2007. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-D".
MiG-29SMT (Product 9.17)
The MiG-29SMT is an
upgrade package of the first-generation MiG-29s (9.12 to 9.13) containing many
enhancements intended for the MiG-29M. Additional fuel tanks in a further
enlarged spine provide a maximum flight range of 2,100 km (on internal
fuel). The cockpit has an enhanced HOTAS design, two 152 × 203 mm (6 × 8-inch)
colour liquid crystal MFDs and two smaller monochrome LCDs. The upgraded
Zhuk-ME radar provides similar features to the MiG-29M. The power plant are
upgraded RD-33 ser.3 engines with afterburning thrust rated the same at
8,300 kgf (81.4 kN) each. The weapons load was increased to
4,500 kg on six underwing and one ventral hardpoints, with similar weapon
choices as for the MiG-29M variant. The upgraded aircraft has also a painted
path for non-Russian origin avionics and weapons.
MiG-29BM
"The MiG-29BM (probably Belorussian
Modernised, possibly Bolyshaya Modernizaciya – large modernization) is an
upgrade to the MiG-29 conducted by the ARZ-558 aircraft repair plant in
Baranovichi, Belarus...The MiG-29BM is a strike variant of the MiG-29 pure
fighter, the Belarussian counterpart to the Russian MiG-29SMT." It
includes improvements to weapons, radar, as well as adding non-retractable
air-air refueling ability.
MiG-29UBT (Product 9.51T)
SMT standard upgrade for the MiG-29UB. Namely
users, Algeria and Yemen.
MiG-29UPG
The Indian UPG version is similar to the SMT
variant but differs by having a foreign-made avionics suite integrated within
it, in the so called, "international avionics suite". The
weapons suite is the same as the SMT and K/KUB versions. The design is a
new modification intended for the MiG-29s used by Indian Air Force. It made its
maiden flight on 4 February 2011. The standard includes the new Zhuk-M radar, new avionics, a IFR
probe as well as new enhanced RD-33 series 3 turbojet engines. The
modernization is part of a $900 million contract to upgrade the 69
fighters fleet.
MiG-29M2 / MiG-29MRCA
Two-seat version of MiG-29M. Identical characteristics to MiG-29M, with a slightly
reduced ferry range of 1,800 km.] RAC MiG presented in various air shows, including
Fifth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (CIAAE 2004), Aero
India 2005, MAKS 2005. It was once given designation MiG-29MRCA for
marketing purpose and now evolved into the current MiG-35.
MiG-29SMP / MiG-29UBP
Upgrade for the Peruvian Air Force MiG-29
fleet. In August 2008 a contract of US$ 106 million was signed with RAC MiG for this custom SMT upgrade of an initial batch
of eight MiG-29, with a provision for upgrade of the remainder of the Peruvian
MiG-29 fleet. The single-seat version is designated SMP, whereas the
twin-seat version is designated UBP.
The SMP standard features an improved ECM
suite, avionics, sensors, pilot interface, and a MIL-STD-1553 databus. The interfaces
include improved IRST capabilities for enhanced passive detection and tracking
as well as better off-boresight launch capabilities, one MFCD and HOTAS. The
N019M1 radar, a heavily modified and upgraded digital version of the N019
radar, is used instead of the standard N010 Zhuk-M used on the MiG-29SMT. The
upgrade also includes a structural life-extension program (SLEP), the overhaul,
upgrade of the original engines and the installation of an in-flight refuelling
probe.
MiG-29OVT
The aircraft is one of the six pre-built
MiG-29Ms before 1991, later received thrust-vectoring engine and fly-by-wire
technology. It served as a thrust-vectoring engine testbed and technology
demonstrator in various air shows to show future improvement in the MiG-29M. It
has identical avionics to the MiG-29M. The only difference in the cockpit
layout is an additional switch to turn on vector thrust function. The two
RD-133 thrust-vectoring engines, each features unique rotating nozzles which
can provide thrust vector deflection in all directions. However, despite its
thrust-vectoring, other specifications were not officially emphasized. The
aircraft is being demonstrated along with the MiG-29M2 in various air shows
around the world for potential export. The aircraft is usually used as an
aerobatic demonstrator.
MiG-35
A recently unveiled mature development of the
MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB. NATO reporting code is "Fulcrum-F".
General
characteristics
· Crew: 1
· Length: 17.37
m (57 ft)
· Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 3 in)
· Height: 4.73
m (15 ft 6 in)
· Wing area: 38
m² (409 ft²)
· Empty weight: 11,000
kg (24,250 lb)
· Loaded weight: 15,300
kg (33,730 lb)
· Max. takeoff weight: 20,000
kg (44,100 lb)
· Powerplant: 2 × Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofans, 8,300 kgf (81.4 kN, 18,300 lbf) each
Performance
· Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, 1,490 mph) At low altitude: Mach
1.25 (1,500 km/h, 930 mph)
· Range: 1,430 km (772 nmi, 888 mi) with maximum
internal fuelFerry range: 2,100 km (1,300 mi) with 1 drop tank
· Service ceiling: 18,013
m (59,100 ft)
· Rate of climb: initial 330 m/s average 109 m/s
0–6000 m (65,000 ft/min)
· Wing loading: 442 kg/m² (82 lb/ft²)
· Thrust/weight: 1.08–1.1
Armament
· 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with
150 rounds
· 7 Hard points: 6 x pylons under-wing, 1 x
under fuselage
· Up to 3,500 kg (7,720 lb) of weapons
including six air-to-air missiles — a mix of semi-active radar homing (SARH)
and AA-8 "Aphid", AA-10 "Alamo", AA-11 "Archer", AA-12 "Adder", FAB 500-M62, FAB-1000, TN-100, ECM
Pods, S-24 rockets, Kh-25, Kh-29
Avionics
· Phazotron N019, N010 radars
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